Describe, Boracay? Beautiful and oh my, very beautiful! That's all I can say. Have you been to that paradise, in the Philippines? Have you heard the news? It's been almost five years since I first visited this popular holiday destination in my country, merely to relax and enjoy life with my friends. I can say, it's truly a memorable vacation because it was also my first plane ride. Brrr! I still remember how cold the aircraft cabin was. It was freezing cold.
Just like you, I'm also missing this true heaven on earth. I'm missing its powdery white sand, barefoot walking, Puka Beach, perfect turquoise water, dramatic sunset, super fun nightlife, yummy seafood, island hopping and my favorite ATV(all-terrain vehicle) ride. Oh goodness! How soon can I experience these again? Perhaps, tomorrow? Sure!
Sadly, we can neither go tomorrow nor next week. "Breaking News: Time to say goodbye, Boracay will be closed for 6 months". I wish it's a fake news but it's not, it's already more than two months when the Philippine government announced its decision to close the popular tourist island to make way for environmental rehabilitation. The shutdown has started on April 26, 2018.
Where Am I?
I feel you my friend. If the decision has made you jobless or ruined your travel plan, your frustration is completely understandable. On the other hand, Boracay has served its visitors for many years very well. It has become the perfect getaway and stress reliever of many travelers, like me. I know the island already did its part and it's now asking for a break. We also know that it has been violated and abused so much. President Duterte even compared it to a "cesspool". If the 6-month rehab is a good breather, so be it. It's undeniably bittersweet and I hope it's worth it. Let's wait until the paradise reopens on October 26, 2018. Mark your calendar!
Nice beach, right?
Hakuna Matata! Simply means, no worries. As they say, always look on the bright side of life. That's what I actually did. Folks, the Philippines is an archipelago that consists of more than 7,000 islands. So, what does it mean? We can easily find breathtaking beaches alternative to Boracay island. Yay!
Cabanas! Where do you think this is?
Mission 101: Find Awe-Inspiring Beaches You Can Explore As Boracay Alternatives. As a blogger, I thought that what happened was more of like a task for me. To really show, to you my readers and fellow Filipinos that we need to calm down because we're not running out of amazing islands. That's why, it's more fun in the Philippines! Right?
Beachgoers are arriving. Where is this place?
Where to start? How am I going to do this? I did ask myself but honestly, it all started with a casual chat, "hey friend, what's our plans for summer?". It was last dry season when we chatted on messenger about going to one of the beaches in Batangas, preferably lesser-known and lovely. I really thought, that journey was perfect in commencing my mission to look for Boracay alternatives. There was enough sunshine in the tropical country.
Karate at the shore, hi-yah!
Please welcome, Sampaguita Beach! After weeks of planning, my friends and I went to the beach in Bauan, Batangas last summer. I can say, it was a mutual decision to go to another municipality in the province of Batangas, aside from the popular to beach lovers San Juan, Nasugbu and Calatagan.
Perhaps, I'm Batangeño. I was born in Manila and sadly, don't live in Batangas but if I were given one million dollars by Sir Manny Pacquiao, I would surely buy a modern house in this province. Whether it's in Anilao or Mataas Na Kahoy. Seriously, I'm in love with Batangas. Why? Oh my, there are a lot of great things to tell you like Taal Volcano, Kapeng Barako(Barako Coffee), Awesome destinations near Manila and Many affordable beach resorts. Yeah, someday!
If you're living in Bauan, I just want to let you know that you're so lucky. I totally didn't know about your municipality until I saw the laidback life in Sampaguita Beach.
Well, thanks to different reviews from other Filipino bloggers because without it, we wouldn't know relaxation and joy. I'm telling you, it's a nice beach and not really crowded. Hopefully, 5 or 10 years from now it stays like that.
Time flies too fast and I wouldn't be surprised if one day, we were welcoming another summer season. Thus, if you're looking for something new, swimming in Sampaguita beach is definitely a great activity to consider.
How to go to Sampaguita Beach?
(Feasible only for those who are living in some cities of Metro Manila like Makati, Manila and Pasay)
Friends, my instructions are easy as 1-2-3! First, ride a JAM Liner bus going to Batangas Grand Terminal. Their stations are in Pasay and Cubao. Ticket price is roughly 157 Pesos(3.14 US Dollars) per passenger but still, for updated fares and schedules make sure to check also their website(https://www.jam.com.ph). The usual travel time is between 2 to 3 hours. It's better to travel in the morning and weekdays, simply to avoid traffic jam.
Second, ride a jeepney going to Bauan from Batangas Terminal. Fare is roughly 12 Pesos/passenger(0.24 US Dollar). Travel time is less than an hour. Kindly tell the driver to drop you off at Bauan High School(near the public market). Third, across the school there is a terminal of jeepneys going to Brgy. Sampaguita, Bauan. Sadly, they only have two trips every day: 7am and 11am. Fare is 35 Pesos/passenger(roughly 0.7 US Dollar). Travel time is also less than an hour. Tips for you! Some parts of the road to Sampaguita are narrow and steep, so if you have vertigo, make sure to take your meds before travel. For campers and backpackers, make sure to bring enough food throughout your stay because it's a bit pricey in Sampaguita and honestly, it seems like everything has a price to pay. Go buy food at the public market first. Oops! Don't forget the toiletries and Johnnie Walker. Enjoy the ride!
Voila! You're now in Sampaguita Beach! Oh my, that was quite a roller-coaster ride but unique. That jeepney ride showed us the glimpse of province life. It's simple, old style and local people are very nice. The fun fact was, we were the only strangers inside and everybody knew each other.
We arrived in Sampaguita at noon. It was cloudy day and high tide. The first person who will welcome you when you get there is the collector of environmental fee, which is roughly 20 Pesos/visitor(0.4 US Dollar). Yeah, it's the famous fee every time we go to the beach. Unfortunately, it's also controversial like what happened to Boracay.
Why they named it Sampaguita Beach? Is it because there are Sampaguita flowers(aka Philippine Jasmine) grew along the beach? Maybe yes? Sadly, I wasn't able to attest that when we were there and it's still a question for me. One thing is for sure, residents told us that Enrique Gil, one of Bagani's stars and a famous Filipino actor has a beach house in Sampaguita.
What's my first impression? I tell you, don't expect to see another Boracay in Bauan but the special thing about Sampaguita beach is, it's still hidden to many tourists because it's somewhat hard to explore but worth it. You'll surely love this place to unwind and be offline. Sometimes it's better to say, no Wi-Fi, no worries. There are few resorts where you can stay overnight like the Dalawampu Beach Resort and Rosemund Resort but we settled in Ate Carina's Resort because it's noticeable. Their cabanas are lined up in a row, invitingly. So, we rented one for only 600 Pesos(roughly 12 US Dollars) good for overnight stay. In all fairness, though it's open and only has table, it's really wide and can accommodate up to 6 people. Luckily, we were only 3. Moreover, we also paid 100 Pesos each(roughly 2 US Dollars) for the entrance. They accept walk-ins and you can also contact her at 0916-374-9536 for reservations assistance.
What were our challenges? Mainly, the tent we rented for 600 Pesos(roughly 12 US Dollars) good also for overnight stay because we really thought it could fit 3 people but no. We had a hard time to sleep. So, if you guys want to go camping, be ready with it and buy your own tent. Other issues were not enough restrooms, water service and power interruptions.
The best part? The immaculately beautiful sunset! We didn't expect to witness a glorious sunset on the beach because it was raining that afternoon but thankfully, it stopped before 5pm. It was really beautiful and completed our day. It's very IG-worthy. I hope you'll see it too when you go to Sampaguita beach.
Mission accomplished! Although Sampaguita beach doesn't have white sand and blue water like Boracay, I can say that it's still a very good alternative because of its tropical vibe, affordable destination and helps you to de-stress naturally. Yes! It's time to go to Bauan. Just make sure to be a responsible traveler and don't pollute the beach.
How to go back to Batangas Grand Terminal?
It's so simple, from Sampaguita beach ride a jeepney going to Bauan Public Market. Make sure to prepare early because the first trip is 7am. Fare is also 35 Pesos/passenger(roughly 0.7 US Dollar). Travel time is an hour. From public market, ride another jeepney going to diversion road. Fare is 10 Pesos/passenger(roughly 0.20 US Dollar). Travel time is less than 30 minutes. From diversion road, ride a jeepney going back to Grand Terminal. Fare is 8 Pesos/Passenger(roughly 0.16 US Dollar). Travel time is less than 30 minutes. At the Batangas Grand Terminal, you can decide whether you want to take a bus going to Pasay or Cubao. Definitely, travelling by car is a better option.
Thanks for reading this blog, folks! Be ready, I'll be posting another "Certified Boracay Alternative" next month. Okay, I'll try next week! Please, don't forget to like, follow and subscribe on my.
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